FAQs

High Camp Life

A: No. Our water comes from an underground mountain spring on property! It is gravity fed to the sink in the Lodge, where you can fill your cabin water jugs or shower bags. Each cabin in supplied with one or two 5 gallon water containers for your use.

Q: Is there power at High Camp?

A: Alpine Lakes High Camp is completely off the grid. This means that there is no electricity in the cabins. The Lodge however does have two solar panels, allowing a small charging station for any required devices. Please pack and plan accordingly.

Q: What about dogs?

A: Dogs are allowed at High Camp on weekdays and weekends throughout the year. Dogs are $30/night with no additional transport fee (they must be on your lap). Max 2 dogs per cabin and max 6 dogs at High Camp at any given time. Vaccinations must be up to date. No aggressive behavior or excessive barking allowed. Dogs that display aggressive behavior will be required to stay in your cabin, dogs displaying excessive barking will require guests to depart without refund. Contact us about service dogs at High Camp.

Q: Can I purchase food at High Camp?

A: High Camp does not offer food services, so be sure to pack all the food your group needs for your stay. Please pack food in hard, sealable containers or coolers - no open top/grocery bags are allowed because of transport difficulities.

Cabin Details

Q: Do I have to share a cabin with guests from other parties?

A: No! Reservations always ensure that your party will stay in their own private cabin.

Q: Do you provide linens such as sheets and pillow cases?

A: No. We provide pillows and comfy mattresses, but you are responsible for bringing you own sleeping bag/linens/pillow case.

Q: Should I bring plates/bowls/pots/pans?

A: No need - each cabin is supplied with a propane two-burner stove, pots, pans, dishes, and utensils for cooking. Your full group should be covered since the selection is based on the occupancy max for that cabin - though don't hesitate to bring that favorite camp mug or French Press! Dishes are washed in the cabins using two washing tubs and a drying rack. With the exception of special events, wedding, or full camp book-outs - cooking and dishwashing is done in cabins and not in the Lodge.

Q: How should I pack my stuff?

A:Gear: Waterproof duffle bags or backpacks work best for clothes and personal items

A:Food: Coolers are ideal for items that need refrigeration and a plastic tub works well for storing non-perishable food items. NO open topped bags allowed - please ensure all bags can be zipped/closed to ensure nothing is lost during transport.

A:Skis/boots: Please have boots packed inside a bag and not loose. Skis should be strapped together, ideally with poles connected. All these steps help us ensure your gear and personal items are taken care of and secured during transport! Thanks so much!

Q: What do you use to keep the cabins warm in winter?

A: In cold weather, cabins are heated using wood stoves. We supply each cabin with firewood, kindling, fire starter, and newspaper. If you need any help lighting or operating a wood-fire stove, our staff is always happy to help. A crackling wood fire is a key experience to cold weather High Camp visits!

Q: Without power, how do you do for lights?

A: Cabins are lit using propane lights and tea light candles. Please bring additional headlamps and flashlights for evening use and moving about camp at night.

Transport Information

Q: What is your pickup (arrival) time policy?

A: We offer 2-3 pickup time options (based on day of the week) which our guests select during the booking process online. Often there are over-lapping trips coming down from High Camp taking guests out to our parking lot after their visit. The schedule works perfectly if everyone is on time.

Please make every effort to arrive at our parking lot at least 30 minutes before your pick up time. This gives you time to get ready for the trip! If you are run into travel issues that make you a little late please call 509-763-3044 to let us know. Often there are other guests at the same pick up time and we don’t want to make them wait very long, especially as this can impact our transport schedule throughout the day.

If you arrive later at the parking lot we will do our best to get you to High Camp in a timely manner. An additional charge of $75 will be added to your transportation fee if your late arrival at the parking lot creates problems for other guests or our staff.

We appreciate your business and strive to make your stay at Alpine Lakes High Camp enjoyable and stress free! Please call us at 509-763-3044 if you have any questions!

Q: Can I drive my own vehicle up to High Camp?

A: No. High Camp is located 8 ½ miles up a private road and due to permitting & seasonal road conditions, camp cannot be accessed using personal vehicles.

Q: Please explain the transportation rates.

A: We charge a flat transportation fee that varies based on the season and if its an adult or child, which includes round-trip transport to and from High Camp to our parking lot along Highway 2. You do have the option to ski/hike/bike up and/or down, and we will haul your gear. Please email us if you plan to haul all your gear in and out, so we can drop the transport cost.

Q: Do I need a Forest Service Pass or Sno-Park Permit to park in your lot?

Activities/Seasons/Trails

A: YES! About 9-10 miles of our marked trail system have been designated as either “easier” or “easiest”. Please refer to our trail map on the website for details.

Q: What about mountain bike trails?

A: We are in the process of growing our mountain biking trail system. One of our current trails is an incredible downhill trail (Old Julius - 4,000' of descent from McCue Ridge down to the parking lot!), which is rideable and being improved throughout the 2018 summer. For XC riders we have a maze of incredibly rough forest service/logging roads across the mountainside, along with a variety of multi-use trails departing from camp. We are working with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance to dial in our 3-5 trail plan and will update our information as more trails are added!

Booking Information

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

A: Before 30 Days: Full refund of deposit available minus $20.00 cancellation fee

Within 30 Days: Trips cancelled with less than 30 days notice will lose deposit

Within 14 Days: Full lodging amount will be charged (minus transportation costs) if cabin cannot be re-booked.

Q: When do we need to be out of our cabin?

A: That depends - High Camp often has guests arriving and departing on the same day for the same cabin.

Check-In: Cabin check-in time is 2:00 PM daily. In the event you arrive on the 10:00 AM transport, we have a cozy lodge and vast wilderness in which to pass the time. We work to have your cabin prepped as soon as possible!

Check-Out: Depending on cabin bookings, we may require you to adhere to the 10:30 AM checkout time, otherwise you are welcome to stay in your cabin until 30min prior to your departure. High Camp Hosts will coordinate these details with you during your stay.

Q: Are there still designated Family Weekends?

A: We no longer have designated Family Weekends but offer the first additional child (ages 5-12) FREE at no extra lodging cost year-round. Kids are welcome anytime and at any age. We strive to be a very family-friendly backcountry resort!

Q: What about tipping staff?

A: Traditionally, guests who have enjoyed their stay at High Camp and appreciate the staff's hard work and long days have found it appropriate to tip. Although it is ultimately your personal choice, tipping is greatly appreciated!

Q: When is the final payment due?

A: The card you reserved your cabin with will be charged the final amount due on the day you depart High Camp.